XBee suitable for Europe

Wireless & IoT
1

Hi and thanks in advance,

I just noticed that the XBee at 900MHz is not allowed in europe due to interference with GSM communications. Instead, 868Mhz is available.

As I didn’t find any reliable info on the forums or tutorials, I would like to ask a couple questions:

  1. Does someone know if it would be possible to order european (868MHz) XBee’s via Sparkfun? Even if it takes longer or there’s an increase in price, I’d be confortable because it’s a source I can definitely trust.

  2. Would it really be a big deal to use the 900MHz one? I’m thinking I could get heavy interference due to GSM traffic, which would not be beneficial for my application.

Thanks again.

2

Would it really be a big deal to use the 900MHz one?

Yes it would as using that frequency is ILLEGAL and is subject to confiscation of equipment, fines and worse.

Digi International (maker of the XBees) does have a European sales offices and distributors. Contact them (see "How to Buy on their web site).

3

Why not buy the 2.4 GHz version? Those are legal in europe. Just al long as you do not let them radiate more than 10dBm! That’s the limit. You might get interference with Wifi hotspots, but mine worked anyway with my laptop radiating right next to them.

For example: http://www.sparkfun.com/products/8664

4

st.jimmy!:
Hi and thanks in advance,

I just noticed that the XBee at 900MHz is not allowed in europe due to interference with GSM communications. Instead, 868Mhz is available.

As I didn’t find any reliable info on the forums or tutorials, I would like to ask a couple questions:

  1. Does someone know if it would be possible to order european (868MHz) XBee’s via Sparkfun? Even if it takes longer or there’s an increase in price, I’d be confortable because it’s a source I can definitely trust.

  2. Would it really be a big deal to use the 900MHz one? I’m thinking I could get heavy interference due to GSM traffic, which would not be beneficial for my application.

Thanks again.

900MHz in most of the EU is licensed spectrum. Bad news if you use it. It is the interference FROM your device TO the license holder that's a legal issue you don't want.

get the 868MHz part number from Digi’s web site and shop it around.

Better yet, use the 2.4GHz product.

5

The 868 MHz version is for low-volume telemetry only, because this band is subject to 10% duty cycle.